The Butler weekly times., 1887-03-16

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tuition of his father, VINO was presl
. dent of the institution. He first set
tied as Presbyterian minister II
Lawrenceburg, Indiana, in 1887
and married Eunice White, daugh-
ter OF DR.. Artemas Bullard; ther
removed to indianapolis in 1889
where he preached until IS47. lr
tnat year he received a call from
Plymouth church, a new Congrega'
tional society in Brooklyn, n. y,
and almost from the outset he began
to acquire that reputation as pulpit
which has been maintained for more
than a third of century. The
church and congregation under his
charge were among the largest in
America. The edifice has seating
capacity of nearly 5000.
| Mr.. Beecher discarded many of
the conventionalities OF the clerical
profession. In his view humor has
place in sermon, as well as ar
gument and exhortat,on, and he did
not hesitate sometimes to venture SO
near the comic that laughter could
hardly be restrained. He was fond
of illustration, drawing material from
every sphere OF human lite and
thought and his manner was highly
dramatic. Though his keen sense
of humor continually manifested
itself, the prevailing impression gwen
by his discourses was one OF intense
earnestness. The cardinal idea of
his creed was that Christianity Is not
series of dogmas, philosophical or
metaphysical, but a rule of life IN
every phase. He never hesitated to
discuss from the pulpit the great
social and political crimes of the
day, such as slavery, intemperance, |
avarice and political abuses. In |
1878 he announced that he did not |
believe IN the eternity of punishment.
He balieved that all punishment Is
cauuonary and remedial, and that
no greater cruelty could be imagined
than the continuance of suffering
cternally after ali hope of retorma-
ton was gone. In 1852 he and his
congregation formally withdrew from
the association of Congregational
churches on account of this belief.
Mr.. Beecher's theology, under
the law of evolution, has changed
from the strict Calyanism in which
he was educated to a disbelief IN the
eternity OF future punishment. His
sermons, reported bv stenographers,
have been printed since 1850, and
tor several years formed a weekly
called for "Plymouth
Pulpit" He very early became
prominent as platform orator and
lecturer, in which he had long aad
successful career. His lectures came
% be in such demand, even at the
high rate OF $500 a night, that he was
obliged to decline further engage
nents as interfering with his ;.,inls.
erial duties. and for long time he
'efu'ed all applications tor public
ectures and addresses except for
'ome special occasions. In January.
1859, he delivered an grafton at the
celebration OF the centennial ami
'ersary of the birthday OF Robert
5urns, which is considered one of
lis most eloquent efforts. He be
anne, member OF the republican v
'arty on Its formation, and delivered :
many political sermons from his pull v
ut; also addressed political meet j..
ngs, especially in 1856, when he Ii
ook an active part in the canvass, 2
ot only with his pen, but by ad. G
ress'ng mass meetings throughout II
ne northern States. t;
During the presidential canvass of " :
SS4 Mr.. Beecher supported the
emocratic candidate, and by his
ct'op estransed many of his poli,i.
al admirers.
In the long conflict with slavery Ct
lr. Beecher was an early and an e
.rnes' worker and from the pulpi,
plymouth church came manv of +"